rhythm reflection: Hungary

Thursday, 21 Dec 2006

After a packed morning, we took it slow on a private boat cruising on the danube enjoying spectacular river views of the city's main sights over a light lunch. After the 1.5 hr cruise, we explored the city on our own to burn off the calories!

Lunch Cruise on the Danube

Taking a sip on their famous schnaps. It tastes like coughing medicine!

Széchenyi lánchíd (Chain Bridge): a 375m long suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, is one of Budapest's most famous landmarks.

Citadel

Budavar (Buda Castle)

Chain Bridge again

and again.....

Hungary Parliament

Gerbeaud

In the afternoon, we made a trip to Budapest’s most famous coffeehouse, Gerbeaud to experience the real splendour. The legendary Gerbeaud, founded in 1858 completes with an elegant late 19th century setting. Crystal chandeliers, marble tables, glossy wood panelling, velvet drapes and walls adorned with beautiful arts. What would be the best way to spend a quiet afternoon than sipping a fine coffee and enjoying fine pastries in this magnificent traditional coffeehouse?

Saint Stephen’s Basilica, Pest

Some random pics

Magyar Állami Operaház (Opera House):
Completed in 1884 and considered as one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary. The façade of the building is decorated with statues of 16 of the world's greatest composers including Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.

Budapest nyugati pályaudvar (Budapest Western Railway Station)The Railway Station was completed in 1877 built by the Eiffel Company in Paris. The beautifully restored building houses the world's most magnificent fast-food restaurant, and the Information Office of the Tourism Office of Budapest.

This is the yummiest hot dog I've ever tasted!

Christmas lighting

Thursday, 21 Dec 2006

This morning, we followed our local guide through through Budapest, seeing the elegant Andrassy avenue and Heroes Square. Then, we visited the 13th centruty Matthias Church, and later enjoyed a panoramic view of the sprawling city from the lacy lookout towers of Fisherman's Bastion.

Hősök (Heroes' Square)

Heroes' Square lies at the end of Andrássy Avenue is one of the major squares of Budapest, Hungary. The Millennium Memorial at the centre of the square was built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarian conquest of the Carparthian Basin.

The square consists of a 36-metre high column topped with Angel Gabriel holding St Stephen's Crown. The column is encircled by statues of the seven conquering Magyar tribal chiefs on its base; and two semi-circular colonnades encompasses the column with statues of Hungarian kings and heroes in Hungarian history:

(From left to right)
King St Stephen - Hungary's first king, founder of the Hungarian state
King St László - a noble and strict king, several miracles are attributed to him
King Kálmán Könyves King Coloman de Beaiclerc - annexed Croatia and Dalmatia to Hungary
King András II - participated in the Crusades
King Béla IV - rebuilt the country after the Mongol invade in the 13th century
King Charles Robert - created a strong and wealthy Hungary in the first half of the 14th century
King I Nagy Lajos (Luis the Great) - son of Charles Robert, during his reign Hungary reached the greatest expansion of its territory
King Matthias - a Renaissance King who made Buda Europe's cultural centre in the 15th century
István Bocskai - as a result of his fight against the Habsburg reign Transylvania became independent in 1606
Gábor Bethlen - prince of Transylvania in the 17th century, leader of an anti-Habsburg uprising
Imre Thököly - leader of Hungarian Protestants against the Habsburg rule
Ferenc Rákóczi - leader of the War of Independence against the Habsburgs in the 18th century
Lajos Kossuth - great patriot and statesman, leader of the 1848/49 War of Indepedence

Figures on top of the corner pillars symbolise:

War
Peace
Work and Welfare
Knowledge and Glory

The square is flanked on either side by the Szépmüvészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Múcsarnok (Palace of Art).

Múcsarnok

Szépmüvészeti Múzeum

Millennium Memorial

Gabriel holding St Stephen's Crown

The first king of Hungary, King St Stephen

King I Nagy Lajos (Louis I the Great)

Castle Hill

Fisherman's Bation from afar

Mátyás Templom (Church of Our Lady)

Matthias church was built in 1255 in Gothic style and was rebuilt in 1470 by King Matthias, hence the name.

The church is rather unique, for its combination of the baroque and oriental character. It was converted into a mosque during the Turkish occupation. It was then reconstructed in baroque style after the reconquest of Buda but some of its oriental features are still preserved.

Replica model of Matthias Church

It is for the blinds to appreciate the structure and features of the church

Halászbástya (Fisherman's Bastion)

Fisherman's Bastion is a neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style viewing terrace at the eastern side of the Catle Hill, on the Buda bank of the Danube, around Matthias Church. It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 with the aim to provide a beautiful setting for Matthias Church. Its seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896. The terrace offers a grand panorama of the city.

The Bastion takes its name as there used to be a local fish market during medieval times in the area directly behind the church.

Statue of Hungary's first king, King St Stephen